System for erecting a marine platform



Nov. 7, 1961 G. E. SUDEROW SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM 9Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 1, 1957 INVENTOR GEORGE E. SUDEROW BY fl fllwaATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1961 G. E. SUDEROW SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINEPLATFORM 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 1, 1957 m V m GEORGE E. SUDEROW BYMun/n M f Mm ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1961 :5.v E. SUDEROW 3,007,317

SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM Filed Oct. 1, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet5 F104. MENTOR GEORGE E. SUDEROW BYM M%M ATToRNEYs (3. E. SUDEROW SYSTEMFOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 1, 1957GEORGE E. SUDEROW ATTORNEYS 1951 G. E SUDEROW 3,007,31

SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM Filed Oct. 1, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet6 roa g4 f f [912 2 go A 1 it 380 Pm Q f" A 1 E i Woe 7s INVENTOR I07,GEORGE asuosnow g BY My, Q11? r M ATTORNEYfi Nov. 7, 1961 G. E. SUDEROWSYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 1,1957 INVENTOR GEORGE E. SUDE ROW BY 44m, 4w? MM ATTORNEYS Nov. '7, 1961G. E. SUDEROW 3,007,317

SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM Filed 001;. 1, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheets INVENT OR WNN @NK 2 N n m GEORGE E.SUDEROW ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1961 G.E. SUDEROW 3,007,317

SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM Filed Oct. 1, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet9 INVENTOR fh2l3 GEORGE E.SUDEROW ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,007,317 SYSTEM FOR ERECTING A MARINE PLATFORM George E. Suderow, NewYork, N.Y.,- assignor to De Long Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 687,453 25 Claims.(Cl. 6146.5)

This invention relates to marine platforms and more particularly to animproved system for erecting a marine pl tform above the water level ofa marine site a desired of wells or vertical openings through which acorresponding series of elongated supporting legs are arranged to beextended. In order to lower the supporting legs into engagement with themarine bottom and subsequently raise the platform thereon, there isprovided in the Pointer arrangement a pneumatic jack capable ofelfecting such movement through a series of relatively short strokes.One of the main advantages of this type of arrangement is that thejacking mechanism may also be utilized to lower the platform .back downon thewater and to subsequentlyraise the supporting legs from theirembedded condition within the marine bottom so that, the barge orplatform may be transported to another marine site for operations,therein.

The pneumatic jacking mechanism disclosed. in the Pointer patent isquite satisfactory in operation. HQW' ever, since the same provides africtional engagement with the smooth surface of a cylindrically-shapedsupporting leg, there some danger in slippage. Accordingly, in myapplication Serial No. 378,103, filed September 2,, 1953., now PatentNo. 2,822,670, there is dis-. closed an improved iacking mechanismembodying a plurality of horizontally reciprocable bolts or pinsarranged to e gagev within. a selected one of a series of longitudinallyspaced openings, or other transverse sur-. face providing means on thesupporting legs, 7 Q

Also, in the Pointer. arrangement, the supporting legs are of one-piececonstruction being disclosed as cylindrical columns or tubes ofsubstantial length. In many opcrations, it. is highly desirable that theupper surface of the, platform after erection be unobstructed, as by theupper ends of the columns or cylindrical supporting legs. This problemwas solved by the provision of telescopic supporting legs, such, asdisclosed in my copending application Serial No. 478,627, filed December3, 1954.

With the above in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved means for extending and. retracting a telescopicsupporting leg of the type described.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedjacking mechanism arrangement operable to alternatively efiect relativelongitudinal movement between any one .of 1 plurality of supporting legsections and a marine platform.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved hydraulic system for actuating a jacking mechanism of the typedescribed embodying means for actuating the same at different operatingpres.- fsurcs from a constant high pressure source.

vision of an improved control system for efiecting semiautomaticoperation of a'jacking mechanism of the type described.- y

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of acontrol system for a jacking mechanism of the type described havingimproved means therein for selectively effecting operation'of any one ofa plurality of supporting leg sections.

Still'another object of theprcsent invention is the pro= vision of acontrol system for a jacking mechanism vof the type described havingimproved means for selectively effecting either a manualoperationthereof or a semiautomaticoperation thereof. e

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved jacking mechanism operable to selectively effect movement ofany one of a plurality of supporting leg sections by the operation of asingle jacking hydraulic motor means.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision ofanimproved jacking mechanism of the type described which is simple inconstruction, easy to operate and economical to manufacture-andmaintain.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of animproved telescopicsupporting leg construction ofthe type describedwhich is simple in construction, easy to operate and economical to.manufac ture and maintain.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of atelescopic supportingleg of the. type described having improved meansfor mounting the. upper end thereof'in-fiush relationship with theuppersurface of the platform deck. I 7 These and other objects 'of thepresent invention will become more apparent during the course of thefollowing detailed description and appended claims.

a The invention may best beunderstood with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown I In the drawings:p

FIGURE 1' is afra'gmentary vertical sectional'view showing-a portion ofa marine platform provided with a jacking mechanism and a supporting legassembly, the latter being illustrated in a lowered or extendedposition;

FIGU E s a i sm nt ry s de sl vati flia the-structure Sh n in IGURE" 1,.with'certaiu Parts broken away, illustrating t e supporting l g ass mblyiu a raised r. r t ac e position; 3

FIGURE 3 is enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofGURE 2.} 1 i FIGURE 4 isv a cross-sectional view taken alongthe line 4-4of FIGURE, 3;

F G E 5 is a op la vi w of. th arm n l ssem l w t pa t ro en away for Puposes of cle rer illustration; i

FIGURE 6 s .a' ert cal. cro sction e of the top cover plate constructionof the supporting leg assembly;

FIGURE! is a 912 plan view of the intermediate sup: porting leg sectionwith the guide plate removed; 7

G RE 8 s a ical .cr ss-sect onalew of. the t ucre illustrated. in FIGURE7 show ng, t e pin in xte de positi n within the outer supporting legsecti n.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged. cross-sect onal vi w taken a ng th line 99 ofFIGURES; v

FIGURE 10 is an enlarge cross-se tional vie taken 7 along the line 1cmof mouse 5;

FIGU E .11 is a schematic f ow diag am at the .hyaul c syst m is? o a ngth "su por he ssembl and lacking mechanism; and

FIGURE .12 is a schematic wiring diagram 015 thesis;-

1 trical control system fo actuating the hydr ulic sys em,

r 3 the diagram being shown in two sections, designated FIG- URE 12A andFIGURE 128 respectively, which can be placed together to form the entirediagram.

General construction As best shown in FIGURESI and 2, the presentinven-. tion contemplates a marine erection system which embodies abuoyant platform or the like, generally indicated at'10, which may. beof any suitable construction.- In general, the platform isprovided witha series of guide means intheform of vertical openings or wells 12 andeach well has a telescopic supporting leg assembly 14 mounted thereinfor longitudinal movement in either direction relative to the platform.In order to effect the relative vertical movement of the supporting legassembly 14, a jacking mechanism, generally indicated at716, is suitablymounted within each w'ell112 and operatively connected with theassociated supporting leg assembly 14.

While the drawings-illustrate only a single supporting leg assembly 14and jacking mechanism 16 therefor, it will be understood that a seriesof such supporting leg assemblies and jacking mechanisms are provided onthe platform and are. operated simultaneously or sequentially during theoperation of the system. The platform 10 is of buoyant constructioncapable of supporting the supporting leg assemblies 14 and' associatedjacking mechanisms on the surface of a bodyof water. a

In theoperation of the system, the platform is towed, as by a tugboat orthe like (not shown), or otherwise propelled to a desired marine sitewhere operations are to be carried on. At the marine site, the jackingmechanisms are operable to extend the supporting leg assemblies so thattheir lower ends engage the marine bottom until they reach a firmfoundation therein. Subsequently, the jacking mechanisms 16 are operableto effect a raising of the platform on the embedded supportinglegassemblies and to maintain the platform at a desired level above thesurface of the water. Afterthe operations at the marine site have beencompleted, the jackingmechanisms are operable to again lower theplatform back onto the surface of the water andto subsequently retractthe supporting legs from their embedded engagement with the marinebottom and to raise the same to anelevated transporting position withrespect to the platform so that the platform may be transported to a newmarine site of operation. T lacking mechanism As best shown in FIGURES1-3, the platform includes an upper deck plate 18 and a lower horizontalbottom plate 20 rigidly interconnected by a plurality of transversebulkheads or walls 22. The construction of the platform which providesthe wells 12 is best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 and includes anarrangement of the transverse bulkheads 22 which provides interiorcompartments 24 within which the jacking mechanism 16 is mounted. Each.jacking mechanism 16 includes a pair of diametrically opposed jackingmechanism units 26; It will be understood that while two such units areshown as comprising each jacking mechanism, it is within thecontemplation of the present invention to utilize one 'or more than twosuch units in cooperation with each, supporting leg assembly14. Sinceboth of the units are of identical construction, a description of oneshould snflice to give a clear understanding of both. In the descriptionto follow, the 'two units 26 are generally referred to as the unit 1 andthe unit 2 so that when it is necessary to differentiate between the twoa subscript numeral 1 or 2 is utilized.

ing elements 36 of rubber or the like are mounted on the upper and lowersurfaces of the mounting arms between the plates 32 and 34 so that theforces transmitted by the jacking mechanism unit head 28 to the platformare absorbed somewhat thereby.

Extending downwardly from the head 28 is a pair of horizontally spacedrigid guide elements 38 of any suitable construction. Preferably, theguide elements 38 are of H-beam construction, the exterior webs of whichmay be reinforced by vertically spaced horizontal plates 39 rigidlysecured thereto as by welding or the like. Slidably mounted between theinteriorly extending channel-shaped flanges of the H-beams is a slidemember 40 having a pair of oppositely extending upper arms 42 disposedwithin the guide elements 38 and a pair of lower oppositely extendingarms 44 also disposed within the guide elements 38. The arms 42 and 44serve to guide the slide member 40 within the guide elements 38 forrelative vertical movement with respect thereto in either direction.

The slide member 40 is moved vertically by means of a fluid pressuremotor, generally designated M, which, preferably, is in the form of adouble acting piston and cylinder unit. To this end, the slide member 40has a slot 46 extending downwardly from the upper end thereof andcommunicating with a rectangularly shaped opening 48. The motor Mincludes a cylinder 50 mounted within the opening 48 and having a piston52 slidably mounted therein for vertical reciprocation. Rigidly securedto the piston 52 is a piston rod 54 which extends upwardly through theupper end of the cylinder and through the slot 46. Mounted on the upperend of the piston rod 54 is an enlarged annular head 56 which isarranged to seat within an upper horizontal portion 58 of a T-shapedslot 60 formed in the lower central portion of the head 28. 7

From the above, it will be seen that each head 28 is substantiallyfixedfwithrespect to the platform, while the associated slide member 40is movable vertically'in either direction relative thereto by operationof the associated hydraulic motor M. In order to connect each jackingmechanism unit 26 with the supporting leg assembly so as to effectrelative vertical movement of the latter, each unit 26 is provided witha series of pins, generally indicated by the reference character P. Asbest shown in FIGURE 4, the head 28 has a horizontally disposed aperture62 formed therein to receive an upper pin P1U3 or P2U3 for horizontalreciprocal motion therein. The slide member 40 has a plurality ofvertically spaced apertures 64, 66 and 68 formed therein for slidablyEach jacking mechanism unit 26 includes a head 28 receiving pins PlLl,P1L2 and P1L3 or P2L1, P2L2, and P2L3, which are arranged to cooperatewith the supporting leg assembly in a manner hereinafter to be morefully described.

Each of the pins P is horizontally reciprocated by a hydraulic motormeans, generally indicated by the reference character PM and,preferably, in the form of a hydraulic cylinder and piston unit. Eachcylinder and piston unit PM is operatively associated with a pin" P andthe various pin motors are designated by the char acter PM followed bythe corresponding subscript of the associated pin P. Each pin motorincludes. a cylinder 70 having a piston 72 slidably mounted therein.Rigidly secured to the piston and extending outwardly of the cylinder isa piston rod 74 having its outer end fixed to the inner end of theassociated pin P by any suitable means, such as a threaded connection orthe like. Preferably, each piston and cylinder unit PM is mountedadjacent the associated pin by a cylindrical housing 76 surrounding theoutwardly extending piston rod 74 as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 6.

Supporting leg assembly As best shown in FIGURES 1-3, each supportingleg assembly 14 includes an outer section 78, an intermediate section 80and an inner section 82 arranged to be telescopically extended andretracted relative to each 031% In formulating the subscript referencecharacters, used herein. inner section 8-2 is designated section No. 1,the intermediate section 80 is designated section No. 2 and theoutersection 78 is designated section No. 3. More over, in thesubsequent description of the operation of the. present system, thesedesignations are utilized to aid in correlating theassociated elementsof each section. While threesections are shown in the drawings, it willbe understood that the supporting leg assembly may comprise two sectionsor more than three, if desired.

The outer section 78 is preferably constructed of a tubular stock out atdiametrically opposed positions to form two arcuate segments. Thesegments are rigidly interconnected, as by welding or the like, by meansof a pair of jacking pin plates 8'4, each provided with a series ofvertically spaced horizontally extending apertures 86for receiving pinsP of the jacking mechanism. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the structure ofthe platform defining the well 12, which receives the supporting legassembly 14, includes arcuate segmental plates 88 arranged to surroundthe outer section 78 and providing diametrically opposed openings 90through which the plates 84 extend. In this way, the telescopicsupporting leg assembly is mounted within the well 12 of the platform 10for relative vertical movement with respect thereto, but rotationalmovement of the supporting leg assembly relative to the platform iseffectively prevented. It will be understood that the engagement of theplates 84 within the openings 90 is somewhat loose so that thesupporting leg assembly may have a slight relative angular movement withrespect to the platform.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 5 and 6, the upper end of theouter section 78 has a cover plate assembly, generally indicated at 92,mounted thereon. The cover plate assembly 92 includes a circular plate94 of a diameter greater than the diameter of the outer section 78 andsubstantially equal to the diameter of the well opening in the upperdeck plate 18 of the platform 10 so as to engage within the same whenthe outer supporting leg section 78 is lowered within the well, as willhereinafter be more fully described. Rigidly secured to the interiorsurface of the circular plate 94 is a pair of concentric rings 96 and 98and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extendingstrengthening ribs 100 are rigidly secured to the lower surface of thecircular plate between the concentric rings 96 and 98. A central opening102' is formed in the circular plate adjacent the inner ring 98 toprovide an access opening to the interior of the supporting legassembly, through which an attendant may pass. The opening 102 isarranged to be closed by a manhole cover 104 suitably removably attachedby an appropriate means.

Extending downwardly from the circular plate 94 and rigidly securedthereto, as by welding or the like, is a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced vertical guide elements or tubes 106. The upper end of the outersection 78 has a web-like construction 107 of any suitable designrigidly secured therein between the interior surface of the section anda central cylindrical member 108, as by Welding or the like, having acorresponding plurality of vertically extending circumferentially spacedlarger tubes 109 slidably receiving the guide tubes .106 of the coverassembly.

Secured to the lower end of the outer section 78 is a strengthening ringor'the like 110 and a second strengthening ring 112 is rigidly securedto the outer section in a position spaced vertically above the ring 110.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 3, 7, and 8, the intermediatesection 80 is constructed similarly to the outer section 78, preferablyby cutting an elongated cylindrical tube in diametrically opposedpositions to form two arcuate segments and by subsequently rigidlysecuring the segments together, as by welding or the like, betweenelongated jacking plates 114 provided with a series of vertically spacedhorizontally extending openings 116 for receiving pins P. Y

Rigidly secured within the upper end of the itermediate section 80,below the upper extremity thereof, is a rigid structure 118 of anysuitable design. Mounted on the supporting structure 118, as by shockabsorbing pads 120 of rubber or the like, is a holding pin assembly,generally indicated at 122. As best shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, theassembly 122 includes a pair of vertically disposed, transversely spacedplates 124 having their ends rigidly secured, as by welding or the like,to a pair of spaced blocks 126 disposed adjacent the jacking pin plates114. The plates 124 and blocks 126 are also rigidly secured, as bywelding or the like, to a pair of transversely spaced horizontal plates128 and a base structure 130 built up of a plurality of plates suitablyfixed together, as by welding or the like, and arranged to seat on theshock absorbing pads120.

Each of the blocks 126 is provided with a horizontally extendingaperture 132 for receiving pins P1U2 and P2U2, respectively. Rigidlysecured to the inner end of each of the pins P1U2 and P2U2 is a crossslide 134 having opposite ends thereof extending through and hori:zontally slidable within openings 136 formed in the plates 124. A pinmotor PMU2, in the form of a piston. and cylinder unit, is fixedlymounted between the cross slides 134. As is usual, the piston andcylinder unit includes a cylinder 138 having one end thereof rigidlysecured to one cross slide 134 and a piston 140 slidablyv mountedtherein. A piston rod 142 is rigidly secured to the piston 140 andextends outwardly through the opposite end of the cylinder and has itsouter end rigidly secured to the opposite cross slide 134 by anysuitable means, such as welding or the like.

The'hydraulic motor PMUZ is preferably of the singleacting itype'arranged'to be retracted by fluid pressure and extended by spring means,generally indicated at 142.

I The spring means 142 comprises a pair of helical compression springs144 having one end of each disposed within a cylindrical member 146rigidly secured with one end of one of the cross slides 134. Eachcylindrical memher 146 is arranged to telescope within a larger cylindrical member 148, within which the opposite end portion of theassociated spring 144 is mounted. Each larger cylindrical member 148 isrigidly secured to one end of the opposite cross slide 134. It willbe-seen that the springs 144 resiliently urge the cylindrical members146 and 148 apart and since they are rigidly connected with the crossslide members 134, the latter are also urged apart. In a like manner,the pins P1U2 and P2U2, which are rigidly secured to the cross slides,are urged outwardly within the horizontally extended apertures 132 so asto engage within openings 86 within the corresponding jacking plates 84of the outer section 78.

The intermediate section is guided for relative vertical movement withrespect to the outer section 78 and is prevented from rotating about itsown axis relative to the outer section by means of a guide cover plate150 rigidly secured to an'inwardly extending, annular, as semblyretaining flange 152 fixed on the upper end of the intermediate section180 by any suitable means, such as bolts or the like. The guide coverplate includes dia metrically opposed notches 154 arranged to embracethe inner portion of the jacking plate 84 of the outer section 78. Theintermediate section is provided with-a rein forcing ring 156 adjacentits lower end and a second rein. forcing ring 158 is secured to theperiphery thereof at a position spaced-above the ring 156.

The inner section 82 is also constructed in the same manner as thesections 78 and 80 and includes arcuate tubular segments rigidlyinterconnected by opposed jacking plates 160 having a series ofvertically spaced horizontally extending openings 162 formed therein.

Preferably, the inner section 82 is made buoyant and to this end, thelower end of the section is provided with a closure 164 and a channeliron 166 is rigidly secured to the interior surface of the section insurrounding relation to each of the plates 160, with the intermediateweb thereof spaced from the plate. At the upper end of the inner section82, a holding pin assembly 168 is mounted which has a constructionsubstantially identical to the holding pin assembly 122 previouslydescribed in connection with the intermediate section 80 and, therefore,it is not believed necessary to describe the same in detail. Sufiice itto say that the holding pin assembly 168 includes a single-actinghydraulic motor PMUl arranged to actuate a pair of pins P1U1 and P2U1.

Hydraulic system Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 11, thehydraulic system of the present invention includes a pump 170 of anyconventional construction. Preferably, the pump unit is of the variabledisplacement type and is flexibly coupledto a motor 172, such as anelectrical motor or the like. The pump is preferably. provided with amanual hand wheel control which is operable to vary its displacementwhich, in turn, determines the capacity of output and, therefore, thespeed of the jacking operation. As is usual, the pump draws oil or otherliquid from a reservoir 174 through a suction line 176 which preferablyhas embodied therein a strainer 178.

It will be understood that the hydraulic system is embodied within asuitable enclosure (not shown) which contains valves VU1, VU2 and VU3for controlling the hydraulic motors PMUl, PMU2, PM1U3 and PM2U3, valvesV1L1, V1L2, V1L3, V2L1, V2L2 and V2L3 for controlling respectively themotors PMlLl, PM1L2, PM1L3, PM2L1, PM2L2 and PM2L3. In addition, thereis a valve V1 which controls the main jacking cylinders M1 and M2. Inaddition to theabove, each of the valves is operated by a pilot valve,designated by the reference character PV with a subscript charactercorresponding to the subscript character of the valve controlledthereby. In a like manner, each of the pilot valves PV is controlled bya solenoid, generally designated by the reference character S followedby a reference character corresponding with the subscript of the pilotvalve associated therewith. The valvesV may be of any suitableconstruction and, preferably, are of a type arranged to reverse thedirection of. flow along two paths when actuated by a hydraulic pilotpressure. The valves PV are similar in that they are arranged to reversethe direction of flow along two paths, but, of course, they are actuatedby the solenoids S. V

The liquid under pressure from the pump 170 is fed to a main supply line180 having a by-pass valve 182 connected in parallel therewith. Theby-pass valve 182 preferably is of the type adapted to remain open, asby a pilot line 183, when the pressure in the mainsupply line 180 isequal to a predetermined pressure, as for example, 1500 p.s.i. Thejacking cylinder supply line 184 is connected at one end with the valveV1. A pair of lines 186 and 188 are connected to opposite ends of thejacking cylinder M1 and lead to the opposite side of the valve V1 andparallel lines 190 and 192 are connected with opposite sides of thejacking cylinder M2 and are connected in parallel with the lines 186 and188 respectively. A jacking cylinder return line 194 leads from thevalve V1 and has parallel lines 196, 198 and 200 connected therewith.The line 196 leads to a by-pass valve 202 piloted by the pressure in thesupply line 184, as by a line 203, to permit passage of liquidtherethrough so long as the pressure in the jacking cylinder supply line184 is maintained at a predetermined value, such as 2200 p.s.i, Theoutlet side of the valve 202 leads to the reservoir 174 through a mainreturn line 204. The line 198 leads to a relief valve 206 which isarranged to be opened and permit flow therethrough at a predeterminedpressure above the opening pressure of the by-pass valve 202, as forexample 2700 p.s.i. The outlet side of the relief valve 206 leads to thereservoir through an auxiliary return line 208 connected to the mainreturn line 204. The line 200 leads to a by-pass valve 210, hereinafterto be more fully described. The outlet side of the valve 210 leads tothe reservoir through a parallel connection with the main return line204. The valves 202, 206 and 210 control the pressure of the liquid inthe main return line 194 and, preferably, a relief valve 212 isconnected in parallel, as by a line 214,-with the jacking cylindersupply line 184 to maintain the pressure therein below a predeterminedmaximum value, as for example 3000 p.s.i. The relief valve 214discharges into the reservoir through a parallel connection with theauxiliary return line 208.

Connected in parallel with the main supply line 180 upstream from theby-pass valve 182 so as to receive a minimum pressure'equal to thepressure at which the by-pass valve opens, as, for example 1500 p.s.i.,is a main pin cylinder supply line 216 having parallel connectionsrespectively with the valves VU1, VU2, VU3, VlLl, V1L2, V2L1, V2L2, V3L1and V3L2, each of which also is connected in parallel with the auxiliaryreturn line 208 connected with the main return line 204. The motors PMU2and PMUI each have a 1ine220 and 222, respectively, connected therewithwhich extends to the opposite side of the associated valve. It will beunderstood that since the motors PMU2 and PMUl are single acting, onlyone line is necessary and the associated valves VU2 and W1 are arrangedto block flowthrough one of the two lines leading thereto in eitherposition so that the single line can either introduce or exhaust fluidunder pressure to the associated motor. Preferably, the motors PM1U3 andPM2U3 are connected in parallel with the single valve VU3 through lines224 and 226. The remaining motors PM1L1, PM1L2, PM1L3, PM2L1, PM2L2 andPM2L3 are each connected to its corresponding valve through separatepairs of lines, indicated at 228, 230, 232, 234, 236 and 238respectively, so that each is independently controlled by a separatevalve.

Connected in parallel with the main pin cylinder supply line 216 is aline 240 which leads to a reducing valve 242 arranged to provide aconstant output pressure of a predetermined relatively small value, asfor example 500 p.s.i. A main pilot valve supply line 244 is connectedto the outlet side of the reducing valve 242 and the main supply lineis, in turn, connected in parallel with the pilot valve PV1, PVUl, PVU2,PVU3, PV1L1, PV1L2, PV1L3, PV2L1, PV2L2 and PV2L3 each of which is alsoconnected in parallel with a main pilot valve re turn line 246 whichempties into the reservoir 174.

From the above, it can be seen that the pump is operable to supply fluidunder pressure below a predetermined high value as determined by therelief valve 212 to either end of the jacking cylinders M1 or M2 throughthe operation of the valve V1 and the fluid from the opposite ends ofthe cylinders is returned to the reservoir through the valve V1 at amaximum pressure of 2700 p.s.i., or other high value as determined byrelief valve 206, or at a relatively low predetermined value, as forexample 2200 p.s.i., when the supply pressure in main cylinder supplyline 184 has reached such predetermined value, through the operation ofthe valve 202.

In addition, the pin cylinders are controlled by valves VU and VL, whichreceive pressure from the pump at a minimum predetermined pressure, asfor example 1500 p.s.i., as determined by the pilot operated bypassvalve 182. The valve V1 controlling the jacking cylinders, as well asthe'valves VU and .VL controlling the pin cylinders, are operated bypilot hydraulic pressure controlled by the operation of valves PV, whichreceive pressure from the pump at a predetermined value, as for example500 p.s.i., as determined by the reducing valve 242.

The above arrangement used to control the jacking cylinders provides forpositive action at all times directly proportional to the pump output.The arrangement prevents the possibility of excessivev loads displacingfluid from one end of the jacking cylinders-and pulling a vacuum in theother end. An expansion or retraction stroke of. the jacking cylindersis always dependent upon fluid output from the pump. ,.In addition,since the output of the pump is by manual variation, any speed desiredwith in the total capacity of the pump and jacking return can beselected by the operator, The pressure at which the relief valve 206will open is in excess of any pressure that could be developed by theweight of the platform or supporting legs alone. Therefore, additionalpressure from the pump supply is requircdto move the jacking cylinderpiston and fluid output from the pump will control the jacking speed inoperation.

The by-pass valve 202 in parallel with the valve 206 requires apredetermined pressure in the jacking cylinder supply line 184 less thanthat which will open the valve 206 before the same willopen; The by-passvalve 202 is provided mainly for the recycle stroke of the jackingcylinder in retraction. Due to the ratio of push areas on each side ofthe piston, it would take over-3000 p.s.i. to retract the jackingcylinders against the 2700 p.s.i. of relief valve 206. Therefore, assoon as the supply line 184 reaches 2200 p.s.i., the by-pass valve 202'opens and permits unrestricted return flow from the jacking cylinders tothe reservoir.

As will be more apparent hereinafter, since the lower pins PL1 and PL2are utilized merely to raise and lower the supporting leg sections Nos.land 2 and are not arranged to carry the load of the platform weight,they need not be designed to operate at the excessive pressures requiredwhen handling the platform weight. To this end, the hydraulic systemincludes an arrangement for preventing the jacking cylinders fromoperating within a supply pressure of over a small predetermined valuewhen supporting leg sections Nos. 1 and 2 are being controlled. Bylimiting the supply pressure to the jacking cylinders to a predeterminedlow value, no more than a predetenmined design load can be transmittedto the pins PLl and PLZ.

Preferably, the above pressure limiting means embodies a valve V3 whichis connected in parallel with the main jacking cylinder supply line184-, as by a line 248. The valve V3 is similar, to the valves V1, VUand VL previously described and is arranged to control the flow in theline 248 and is, in turn, controlled by a pilot valve PV3 connected withthe main pilot supply line 244 through a line 250 and to the main pilotreturn line 246 through a line 252. As before, a solenoid S3 controlsthe operation of the pilot valve PV3. r

The output side of the valve V3 has a line 254 leading therefrom whichis connected with a by-pass valve 256 arranged to open at apredetermined low value, as for example 1100 p.s.i. The output side ofvalve 256 is connected with the auxiliary return line 208 which leads tothe reservoir 174. The normally closed valve 210 previously described isadapted to. be opened by a pilot pressure of a value slightly less thanthe maximum pressure at which the valve 256 will open, as for example1000 p.s.i. Such pilot pressure is supplied through a line 258 connectedwith the valve 210 and the line 254.

The above arrangement is such that as long as the solenoid S3 isactuated, which will occur when supporting leg sections 1 and 2 arebeing controlled, pilot valve PV3 will admit pilot pressure to the valveV3 so that the latter will operate to connect the pressure in line 248to the line 254. In this manner, the pressure in the main supply line184 will be maintained at a maximum value of 1100 p.s.i. through theoperation of the by-pass valve 256, It will also be noted that with thispressure in the supply line 184, there will be insufiicient pilotpressure to open the by-pass valve 202 and, hence, insufficient pressure.in the main return line 194 to open the relief valve 206. The by-passvalve 210 is adapted to operate in the same manner as the valve 202 inthat so long as a predetermined Electrical control system The presentinvention contemplates an electrical control system ,for operating thepilot valves for the various hydraulic motors arranged to effect jackingmovement, In general, the electrical system includes a master selectorswitch SWM, which serves to select the supporting leg Section that theoperator desires to control. In addition, thesystem embodies anoperation selector switch SW-O, which is used to select the type ofoperation which the operator desires. That is, the operation'selectorswitch in one position sets up the control circuit-for manual operationand in a second position sets up the control circuit for semi-automaticlowering of the supporting leg sections or raising of the platform andin a third position sets up the control circuit for semi-automaticlowering of the platform or raising of the supporting leg'sections.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 12A and 1213, the electricalcontrol system includes a circuit having main power lines 260 and 262connected to any suitable source of power (not shown) as for example, a208 volt, 60 cycle, single phasepower source. Each of the hydraulicmotors PM operating the jacking pins is provided with a limit switch LSpositioned to be actuated when the pin is'in an extended position orengaged within a supporting leg section aperture. The various limitswitches are designated in FIGURE 12B by the reference character LS anda subscript corresponding to the subscript character of the pin operatedthereby. Thus, there are twelve such limit switches and each isconnected to the main power line 260 in series With a contact of themaster selector switch SWM.

While the switch SWM may be of any suitable construction, in thedrawings it is schematically illustrated as embodying a rotor arrangedto selectively complete contacts when rotated so as to achieve theeffect of selecting the desired supporting leg section upon whichoperations are to be carried out. As illustrated in FIG- URE 12B, themaster selector switch includes twelve contacts which are connectedinseries respectively with respective limit switches. The contacts aredesignated by the reference character I with a subscript correspondingto the subscript of the hydraulic pin motor associated therewith. In theposition shown in FIGURE 12B, the master switch'is in a position tocontrol section No. 1 of the telescopic supporting leg so that thecontacts tlUl, tlLl, 't2U1 and t2L1 are completedand the remainingcontacts are interrupted. When the rotor of the switch SW -M is turnedapproximately 120 to control supporting leg section No. 2, contactst1U2, tlLZ, t2U2 and t2L2 are completed and the remaining contacts areinterrupted. Finally, when the switch rotor is turned an additional 1 20to control supporting leg section No. 3, contacts t1U3, t1L3, t2U3 andt2L3 will be completed and the remaining contacts interrupted.

The contacts tlU, t 1L, r2U and r2L leading from the switch SWM are eachconnected in series to relays R. The contacts t1U1, t1U2 and t1U3-leading from the switch SWM are connected togther in parallel and to thecoil of a relay RlU through a lead 264 and the series circuit of therelay is completed to the power line 262. The contacts tlLl, t1L2 andt1-L3 leading from the switch SWM are connected together in parallel andto the coil of a relay RIL, as by lead 266. The relay coil, in turn, isconnected in series with the power line 262 to complete the seriescircuit. In a like manner, the contacts tZUl, t2U2 and t2U3 areconnected together in parallel and to the .coil of a relay R2U, as by alead 268, the relay coil, in turn, is connected in series with the powerline 262 to complete the series circuit. The contacts t2L1, t2L2 andt2L3 leading from the switch SWM are connected together in parallel andto the coil of a relay R2L1, as by a lead 270. As before the coil of therelay is connected to the main power line 262 to complete the seriescircuit. In this manner, there is provided a series relay circuit foreach of the pins which is controlled by the associated limit switch. Themaster selector switch SW-M is connected to each of the series relaycircuits to select the appropriate limit switch of the particularsection being operated that will control the series relay circuits.

In addition, each limit switch is also connected in series with a pilotlight L which, in turn, isconnected to the main power line 262 by aparallel connection. In FIGURE 12B, there is shown a pilot light foreach limit switch designated by the reference character L and asubscript corresponding to the subscript of the limit switch associatedtherewith. The pilot lights are, therefore, connected to be actuated orturned on when the associated limit switch is closed. Since the pilotlights are connected in series with the limit switches independent ofthe series relay circuit of the limit switches they will be operativeirrespective of the position of switch SW-M.

In addition to the limit switches described above,there is also a limitswitch provided for each of the jacking cylinders M1 and M2. These limitswitches are adapted to remain closed during expansion of the jackingcylinders .and to open just prior to the end of the expansion stroke andconversely remain open during retraction of the jacking cylinders and toclose just prior'to the end of the retraction stroke. As shown in FIGURE12A, limit switch LS1 associated with the jacking cylinder M1 isconnected to the power line 260 in series with the coil of a relay R1which, in turn, is connected with the main power line 262 to completethe series circuit. In a like manner, a limit switch LS2 is provided forthe jacking cylinder M2 and connected with the power line 260 in serieswith the coil of a relay R2 which, in turn, is connected to the powerline 262 to complete the series circuit. a

The switch contacts of the relays R are arranged to actuate controlcircuits of the operation selector switch SW-O. .While the switch SW-Omay be of any suitable construction, as shown, it includes a rotor rhaving a series of contacts designated by the reference character r anda subscript numeral. Certain of the contacts of the rotor are connectedwith the contacts of the relays in a manner hereinafter to be more fullydescribed. The rotor is adapted to connect the contacts r withcorresponding contacts of any one of three stators Sm, Sa and Sb. Whenthe contacts of the stator Sm are connected with the contacts of therotor, the electrical control system is arranged to be manuallyoperated. This position of the switch SW-O is generally utilized toinitially position and begin operations on any of the supporting legsections. When the stators So and Sb are connected with the rotor, theelectrical control system is semi-automatic in operation. The stator Sais utilized in lowering the supporting leg sections and in raising theplatform after the sections have been embedded in the marine bottom. Thestator Sb is utilized when it is desired to lower the platform back onthe water and to raise the supporting leg sections from the floatingplatform.

The switch contacts of the relays R are connected with the contacts r ofthe rotor of the switch SW-O as follows. =Rotor contacts r1 and 12 areconnected in series, with one switch actuated by the relay RlU by leads272 and 274. The rotor contact r3 is connected by a lead 276 to one sideof a single switch actuated by the relay R1L. The rotor contacts r4 andr5 are connected in series with one switch actuated by the relay R2Uthrough leads 278 and 280. The rotor contact r6 is connected by a lead282 to one side of a single switch actuated by the relay RZL. Theopposite side of the switch actuated by the relay R2L is connected inseries by a lead 284 with the opposite side of the switch actuated bythe relay RlL. Rotor contacts r7 and r8 are connected in series with anormally opened switch actuated by the relay R1 through leads 286 and288, and the contacts r9 and r10 are connected in series with a normallyclosed switch actuated by the relay R1 by leads 290 and 292. Thecontacts r11 and r12 are connected in series with a normally openedswitch actuated by the relay R2 by leads 294 and 296 and the contactsr13 and r14 are connected in series with a normally closed switchactuated by the relay R2 by leads 298 and 300. Rotor contact r15 isconnected directly to the power line 260 by alead 302.

Rotor contacts r1-r14 are thus controlled by the operation of the relaysR which, in turn, are controlled by the limit switches selected by themaster selector switch SW-M. In addition to the contacts r1-r14 andr-15, the rotor also includes output contacts r16, r17 and r18,hereinafter to be more fully described.

The stator Sm, which is arranged to connect the electrical controlsystem for manual operation, includes contacts SmI-Sm6 and Sm16, Sm17and 812118, which are arranged to be connected respectively to the rotorcontacts r1-r6 and r16, r17 and r18. The stator contacts Sm2, Sm4 andSm6 are connected with the main power line 262 by leads 304, 306 and308. Stator contacts Sm3 and 811116 are connected in series, as by leads310 and 312, with a switch SW-U which serves to manually control theoperation of the selected upper pins P. Stator contacts Sml and Sm17 areconnected in series, as by leads 314 and 316, with a switch SW-lL whichserves to manually control the operation of selected lower pins P1L.Stator contacts SmS and Sm 18 are connected in series, as by leads 318and 320, with a switch SW-2L which serves to manually control theoperation of selected pins P2L.

The stator Sa includes contacts Sa3 and Sa6 Sa18, which are arranged tocontact respectively the rotor contacts r3 and r6-r18. Contact Sa3 isconnected with contact Sa15 by a lead 322. Contact Sa6 is connected withcontact Sa12 by a lead 324. Contact Sa7 is connected with contact Sallby a lead 326. Contact Sa8 is connected with contact Sa16 by a lead 328.Contact Salt) is con nected with contact S4217 by a lead 330 and contactS014 is connected with contact Sa18 by a lead 332. Contact Sa9 isconnected with the main power line 260 in series with a switch actuatedby the relay RlU through leads 334 and 336. Contact S1213 is connectedto the main power line 260 in series with a switch actuated by the relayRZU through leads 338 and 340.

The stator Sb includes contacts Sb3, Sb6-Sb12, and Sbl S-Sb18, which arearranged to be connected respectively with the rotor contacts r3, r6-r12and r15-r18. The contact Sb3 is connected with contact Sb10 by a lead342. The contact Sb6 is connected with the contact Sb15 by a lead 344.The contact Sb8 is connected with the contact Sb17 by a lead 346. Thecontact Sb9 is connected with the contact S1116 by a lead 348 and thecontact Sbll is connected with the contact Sb18 by a lead 350. ContactSb7 is connected by a lead 352 with lead 334, which connects the switchoperated by the relay RlU to the main power line 260 through the lead336. The contact Sb12 is connected by a lead 354 to the lead 338, whichconnects the switch actuated by relay R2U in series with the main powerline 260 by lead 340.

As best shown in FIGURE 12B, the master selector switch SW-M alsoincludes a series of contacts designated by the reference character 1,which are connected in series with the solenoids S, arranged to actuatethe pilot valves PV, between the main power line 262 and the outputrotor contacts r16, r17 and r18. Each pair of upper cylinders PMUare'controlled by a single pilot valve PVU which, in turn, is controlledby a single solenoid SU so that the solenoids SUl, SUZ, and SU3 areconnected with the power line 262 and in series with one side of thecontacts fUl, fU2 and fU3, the opposite side of which are connectedtogether in parallel and to the rotor contact r16, as

by a lead 356, to complete the circuit. Solenoids SlLl, S1L2 and S1L3,which control pilot valves PVlLl, PV1L2 and PV1L3, are connected withthe power line 262 and in series with one side of the contacts 1L1, f1L2and 7"1L3 respectively of the master selector switch SW-M, the oppositeside of which are connected together in parallel and to the rotorcontact r17, as by a lead 358, to complete the circuit. In a likemanner, solenoids S2L1 S2L2 and S2L3 which control pilot valves PV2L1,PV2L2 and PV2L3 are connected with the power line 262 and in series withone side of the contacts f2L1, j2L2 and f2L3 of the master switch SW-M,the opposite side of which are connected together in parallel and to therotor contact r18, as by a lead 360, to complete the circuit.

As will be more fully explained hereinafter, when any one supporting legsection is being operated by the electrical control system, the upperpins of the other two supporting leg sections must be engaged and thelower pins retracted. Since the pins are retracted by energizing thesolenoids S, it is, therefore, necessary to provide for the continuousactuation of two of each of the solenoids SlL and S2L, while one of eachis connected for selected operation. To this end, the master switch SW-Mis provided with additional contacts fhl L and fhZL. These contacts areconnected in series with respective solenoids S1L and S2L between themain power lines 262 and 260. In the position of the master switch SW-Mshown, wherein outer supporting leg section No. 1 is selected foroperation, the contacts fhlL are connected such that contacts fh1L2, fh1L3, fh2L2 and fh2L3 complete the series circuit respectively throughsolenoids S1L2, S1L3, S2L2 and S2L3 respectively. Contacts fhlLl andfh2L1 are interrupted. When the rotor of the master control switch SW-Mis turned 120 to control intermediate supporting leg section No. 2, theseries circuit to solenoids S1L1, S1L3, 821.1 and S2L3 are completedthrough contacts fhlLl, fh1L3, fhZLl and fh2L3. Circuits throughcontacts fit-1L2 and fh2L2 are interrupted. When the rotor switch SW-Mis turned an additional 120 to control inner supporting leg section No.3, series circuit through solenoids S1L1, S1L2, S2L1 and S2L2 arecompleted through contacts fhlLl, fh1L2, fh2L1 and fh2L2 respectively.Contacts fh1L3 and fh2L3 are interrupted.

In addition to the above, the master control switch SW-M also includes acontact f3 similar to the contacts fh, which is connected in series withthe solenoid S3 which controls pilot valve PV3 between the power lines262 and 260. The contact f3 is such that the series circuit throughsolenoid S3 is completed when the master control valve is set to controlouter supporting leg section No. 1 and intermediate supporting legsection No. 2 and the circuit is interrupted when the master controlvalve is set to control inner supporting leg section No. '3.

The electrical control circuit also includes a jacking cylinder controlswitch SW-l, which is connected in series with the solenoid S1controlling pilot valve PVl'between the main power lines 262 and 260, asshown in FIGURE 12A.

It will be understood that in the construction of the present hydraulicsystem and electrical control circuit that the various valves forcontrolling the operation of the jacking mechanism may be mounted in asuitable valve enclosure and the various switches and other electricalcontrols associated therewith are preferably mounted on a suitablecontrol panel which may be conveniently operated by an attendant. Itwill be noted, however, that certain of the hydraulic motors andassociated electrical controls must of necessity be mounted on thevertically movable supporting leg assembly which, in turn, necessitatesthe provision of hydraulic and electrical lines to these motors andelectrical elements. Thus, in FIGURES 1, 2, 5, 9 and 10, there is showna preferred embodiment of an arrangement whereby the electrical andhydraulic lines may be led to the various supporting leg sections uponwhich the various hydraulic and electrical elements are mounted,

so as to permit vertical movement of the supporting leg sections withoutdanger of fouling the lines.

More specifically, thehydraulic motor PMU2 embodied in the holding pinassembly 122 has a first section 220A of itshydraulic line 220 extendingupwardly therefrom of a length greater than the length of the outersection 78. The upper end of the first line section 220A is coiledaround a rotary drum 362, as best shown in FIGURE 9. The drum 362 issuitably mounted on the upper end of the outer section 78, as bybrackets 364 and is connected so as to be resiliently urged to rotate ina direction tending to reel in the line mounted thereon. The end of theline section 220A extends through the periphery of the drum and isconnected, as indicated at 366, to a hollow hub 368 of the drum. One endof the hollow hub is swivelly connected to a line section 220B, whichextendsupwardly to a coupling 370 mounted in the cover plate 94. -A linesection 220C, greater than the length of the outer'section, is connectedat one end to the coupling 370 and has its opposite end coiled around asimilar drum assembly 372 mounted on the'platform. V

' In a like manner, the limit switches LS1U2 and LS2U2 actuated by thepins P1U2 and P2U2 respectively have suitable electrical lines leadingupwardly therefrom of a length substantially as long or longer than thelength of the outer section and also wound about a drum 374, as shown inFIGURE 10. The drum 374 is rotatably mounted in the upper end of theouter supporting leg section by any suitable'means, such as brackets 376and is also resiliently urged to'rotate in a direction tending to windin the lines mounted thereon. The ends of the electrical lines woundaround'the drum are connected with suitable cylindrical contacts andbrush assemblies of conventional construction, generally indicated at378. Suitable lines are connected between the cylindrical contact andbrush assemblies and a plug assembly 380 mounted in the cover plate 94.A similar drum assembly 382 is mounted on the platform around whichlines of a suitable length are wound to connect with the plug assembly380 and to provide for the elevation of the outer section.

In a like manner, the pin motor PMUl embodied in the pin assembly 168 onthe upper end of the inner supporting leg section 82 has its line 222extending therefrom through the pin assembly 122 and to a similar rotarydrum assembly 383 carried by the upper end of the outer section. Asbefore, the line from the drum assembly is connected with a secondrotary drum assembly 384- mounted on the platform. The limit switchesLS1U1 and LS2U1 operated by the pins PlUl and P2U1 respectively havelines extending upwardly therefrom wound around a drum assembly 386carried by the upper end of the outer section 78 and the drum assembly386 is electrically connected by suitable lines to a similar drumassembly 388 mounted on the platform in the manner previously described.

It will be. seen that the arrangement of the drum assemblies is suchthat the conduit carried thereby will be either payed out or resilientlyreeled in as the various supporting leg sections are moved vertically ineither direction relative to the platform and to each other. Fouling ofthe lines is, therefore, prevented and, it will also be seen, thatprovision is made for conveniently connecting and disconnecting thevarious lines between the platform and the supporting leg assembly.

General mechanical and hydraulic operation In general, the platform ofthe present invention is .floated to a marine site with a plurality oftelescopic supporting legs retained in the platform openings or wells bythe associated jacking mechanisms. It will be understood that in theoverall construction of the platform, there is a plurality of supportinglegs which must be actuated substantially together by similar controlsprovided for each in order to raise the platform to an even operatingposition above the water level. Since all of the telescopicsupporting-legs are identical, the operation of-but a single telescopicsupporting leg will be described, bearing in mind that a plurality ofsuch legs are necessarily operated in the entire erection of theplatform.

Preferably, the telescopic supporting leg assembly 14 is retained in itscollapsed position in the associated platform opening 12 by the upperpins of the jacking mechanism 16, as shown in FIGURE 2. That is, pinsP1U3 and P2U3 are engaged within apertures 86 in section No. 3 of thesupporting leg assembly, pins P1U2 and P2U2 are also engaged in sectionNo. 3 apertures 86 and pins PlUl and P2U1 are engaged in the apertures116 section No. 2. If desired, the lower pins may also be engagedrespectively within the associated section apertures, althrough this isnot essential. The platform is thus floated to. the marine site oferection with the telescopic supporting leg assembly in this condition.Of course, all of the sections are preferably disposed in theiruppermost position relative to the platform.

To commence operation, all of the lower pins PL are disengaged orretracted if they have been in an extended engaged position. Thetelescopic supporting leg assembly is now ready to have section No. 1lowered by the oper-. ation of the jacking mechanism 16. In this regard,it must be borne in mind that when any one section of the telescopicsupporting leg assembly is being moved by the operation of the jackingmechanism 16, the upper pins PU of the other two sections must beengaged and the lower pins PL thereof retracted. Thus, when section No.1 is controlled, pins 'PU3 must be engaged within the section No. 3apertures 86 and pins PL3 retracted andin this way, section No. 1 isretained in fixed position by the pins PU3 relative to the platform. Inorder to retain section No. 2 in fixed position, pins PU2 are engagedwithin section No. 3 apertures 86 and, of course, pins PL2 must beretracted. In this condition, section No. 1 can be vertically moved ineither direction within section No. 2 by the operation of pins PU1 andPL1. Stated differently, pins PU1 serve to retain section No. 1 in fixedposition relative to the platform through section No. 2, pins PU2,section No. 1 and pins PU3. Relative movement of section No. 1 withinsection No. 2 is obtained by supporting section No. 1 on the pins PL1with the pins PU1 retracted. Of course, in order to permit this movementof section No. 1, pins PL2 and PL3 must be retracted.

To lower section No. 1 from its retracted position within section No. 2and from its initial condition with pins PU1 engaged, the jackingcylinders M1 and M2 are ren'acted until pins PL1 can -be moved intoapertures within section No. 1. With pins PL1 engaged, continuedretraction of the jacking cylinders M serves to transfer the weight ofsection No.1 from the pins PU1 to the pins PL1 and the former arewithdrawn Next, the jacking cylinders M are expanded to lower the pinsPL1 relative to the platform and hence section No. 1 therewith. Justprior to the end of the expansion stroke of the jacking cylinders M,pins PU1 are engaged in apertures in section No. 2 and continuedexpansion of the cylinders transfers the weight of section No. 1 fromthe pins PL1 to the pins PU1 so that the former can be retracted. Next,the cylinders are retracted to raise the pins PL1 so that they may beengaged in section No. 1 apertures above the ones from which they havejust been retracted. After they have been engaged within the apertures,the cylinders M are retracted still further to transfer the weight ofsection No. 1 from the pins PU1 to the pins PL1 and the cycle is againbegun by expanding the cylinders M, which permits section No. 1,supported by the pins PL1, to be lowered another incremental distance.This cycle of operation is repeated until section No. 1 has been loweredto its fully extended position relative to section No. 2 or to anydesired position relative thereto.

Section No. 2 is lowered by the operation of pins PU2 and PL2 and, asbefore, the upper pins PU1 and PU3 of the remaining sections must bemaintained in engagement and the lower pins PL1 and PL3 retracted topermitoperation of section No. 2. Thus, when section No. 2 is beingcontrolled, pins PU1 serve merely to retain section No. 1 in fixedrelation with section No. 2 so that it will move therewith. Pins PU3serve to retain section No. 3 in a fixed position relative to theplatform so that when the pins PU2 are engaged therein, section No. 2will be retained in fixed position. Section No. 2 is lowered bymanipulating the upper pins PU2, lower pins PL2, and jacking cylinders Min the same manner indicated above relative to section No. 1. Briefly,pins PL2 are first engaged in section No. 2 apertures and the jackingcylinders M retracted to shift the weight of section No. 2 from theupper pins PU2 to the lower Pins PL2 so that by expanding the jackingcylinders M, section No. 2 may be lowered relative to section No. 3through the support of pins PL2. At the end of the expansion stroke ofthe cylinders M, pins PU2 are engaged and upon further expansion of thecylinders, the weight is transferred from the lower pins PL2 to theupper pins PU2 and the jacking cylinders M are retracted so that thecycle can be repeated.

In normal operation of the telescopic supporting leg, it is contemplatedthat the lower end of section No. 1 will firmly engage the marine bottomat some point during the lowering of section No. 2. When this happens,control of section No. 2 is stopped and if the upper pins PU2 are not inengagement, the jacking cylinders M are retracted sufiiciently to permitpins PU2 to engage in the next highest apertures in section No. 3. Inthis regard, it will be noted that by-pass valve V3 is actuated duringthe operation of section No. 1 and section No. 2 so that the pressuresupplied to the jacking cylinders M is of the order of 1100 p.s.i. Thus,during the expansion of the jacking cylinders M with the lower sectionengaged in the marine bottom, the jacking cylinders will stall out bythe engagement of the marine bottom. When this happens, it is then timeto switch to the control of section No. 3 in which the by-pass valve V3is closed and the operating pressure to the jacking cylinders M is ofthe order of 2200 p.s.i. If pins PL2 are in engagement, they areretracted by expanding the jacking cylinders M slightly, if necessary,to remove any load imposed thereon by the jacking cylinders.

With the pins PU2 engaged within section No. 3 apertures, control of thelatter is begun by retracting the jacking cylinders to permit the lowerpins PL3 to engage within apertures in section No. 3. The jackingcylinders M are then expanded to shift the weight from the upper pinsPU3 to the lower pins PL3 and the former are retracted. After the upperpins have been retracted, the jacking cylinders are expanded, whichmoves all of the caisson sections downwardly, which, in turn, has theeffect of driving the lower end of section No. 1 to a solid foundationin the marine bottom. Further expansion of the cylinders M after thesolid foundation has been encountered will result in a raising movementof the platform 10 relative to the telescopic supporting leg sec tionNo. 3 so that the pins PL3 now serve to support the platform from thesupporting leg assembly rather than the supporting leg assembly from theplatform as before during the lowering of leg sections Nos. 1 and 2.Near the end of the expansion stroke of the jacking cylinders M, upperpins PU3 are engaged and the cylinders are retracted to transfer theweight of the platform 10 from the lower pins PL3 to the upper pins PU3and the former are retracted. The jacking cylinders continue to retractand toward the end of their retraction stroke the lower pins PL3 areengaged in higher apertures in section No. 3. After the lower pins PL3are engaged, the jacking cylinders are expanded to initially transferthe weight of the platform 10 from the upper pins PU3 to the lower pinsPL3 and the former are withdrawn and the continued expansion of thejacking cylinders M begins a new cycle which is repeated until theplatform has reached a suitable operating height on section No. 3.

"Preferably, the length of section No. 3 is selected to correspond withthe height of the platform above the water level desired so that whenthe platform 10 reaches the proper height above the water, the upper endof the section No. 3 will be flush with the upper surface of theplatform as shown in FIGURE 1. The desired height is reached bypermitting the jacking cylinders M to stall out at the end of theirexpansion stroke so that the barge is maintained in an elevated positionby the lower pins PL3. Finally, structural supporting wedges (not shown)are provided on bottom of the jacking frame assemblies to removetheplatform load from the jacking cylinders. In addition, wedges areplaced to lock lower'pins PL3- in engagement with the section to preventaccidental withdrawal. It will be noted that the cover plate assembly 92is adjustable and thus insures that the upper end of the supporting legassembly will be flush with the upper deck of the platform;

T o-lower the platform back onto the water and raise the supporting legsback into the retracted transport position on the platform, the aboveprocedure is followed in reverse.

Electrical control operation With the above in mind, the action of theelectrical control system to achieve the operation will now be describedassuming, as before, that the telescopic supporting leg assembly 14 istransported by the platform 10 in retracted raised position with theupper pins PU in engage- 3 ment and the lower pins PL retracted(although it is unimportant which position the lower pins PL are in,'as

the operations hereinafter described automatically posi-' tion them asrequired). Before the main power lines 260 and 262 are connected to thesource of power to energize the system, the master selector switch SWMis setto control section No. '1 so that the contacts t, f, and fhthereofare in the position shown in-FIGURE 12B. peration selector switchSW-O is set so that rotor ris in connection with stator-Sm for manualoperation; Switch- SW-U is opened, and, switch SW-l is closed. When allof. the switches have been thus positioned, the main power lines 260 and262are connected to thepower-source to energize the, system. As soon asthe system is energized,

the; jacking cylinders M are retracted due to the actuation-of pilotvalveyPV1 by solenoid sl which isconnected across the power lines inseries with the closed switch SW-l. 'It will be noted-that by actuatingpilot valve PVl, pilot fluidpressure is transmitted to the valve V1 toreverse the;position of the same so as to cause fluid under pressure toenter the cylinders M through lines 1'86 and 190 and exhaust throughlines 188 and 192 and 1 tension of the pins P connected therewith. Thus,when the associated solenoids SU and SL are not energized, the

associated pins will be extended or engaged, or at least urged intoengaged position. When the solenoids SU and SL are'energized, the pilotvalves reverse the Pilot flow to the associated valves to reverse themwhich, in turn,-

effects a retraction of theassociated pins connected with the cylinders.

Thus, when the system is SL3 are immediately energized through switchSW-M, contacts fhL2 and fhL3 so that the associated pins PLZ and PL3 areretracted. If any load is on these pins,

they will not immediately retract if in an engaged posi- 1 tion, butthey will retract during the retracting movement of the jackingcylinders M. Solenoids SL1 are controlled by the operation of switch'SW-O, since master switch- SW-M a position to control section No, 1.The

energized, solenoids SL2 and circuit is such that the lower pins PL ofthe section being controlled cannot be withdrawn unless thecorresponding upper pins PU are engaged and vice versa. Thus, thecircuit through solenoid S1L1 is controlled by the relay Rl-U andsolenoid S 1L1 can only be energized to retract pins P1L1 when the limitswitch LS1U1 is closed so as to energize the relay R1=U and close theswitch contacts thereof. In a like manner, the circuit to solenoid S2L1:is controlled by the relay R2U and solenoid S2L1 canonly be energized toretract pin P2L1 when limit switch LS2U1 is closed so as to energizerelay RZU and close the switch contacts thereof. it will be noted thatwhen relay RlU is energized, the circuit through solenoid S1L1 iscompleted from the main line 262 through lead 304, contact Sm2, contactr2, leads 274 and 272, contacts r1 and Sml, lead 314, switch SW-lL(which is initially closed), lead 316, contacts Sm17 and r17, lead 358,and master switch contact flLl. iln a like manner, the circuit tosolenoid 'S2L1 is completed from main line 262 through lead 306,contacts Sm4 and r4, leads 278 and 280, contacts rs and Sm5, lead 318,switch SW-2L, lead 320, contacts Sm18 and r18, lead 360, and main switchcontact f2L1. In this way, when switch SW-O is set for manual operation,solenoids SlLl and S2L1 are under the control of switches SW-IL andSW-2L, provided limit switches LS1U1 and LS2U1 are closed.

In a like manner, solenoids SU2 and 'SUS will not be. energized, sincetheir circuit is broken by contacts N2 and US of the switch SW-M and,hence, the associated pins PU2 and PU3 will remain extended or engaged.Solenoid SU1, which controls the operation of the upper pins PU1 ofsection No. 1, is in turn controlled by switch SW-U and limit'switchesLSlLl and LS2L1. Since the switch SW-U is opend, the circuit is brokenand solenoid SU1 will not be energized and the associated pins PU1 willremain extended.

Thus, after the power is turned on, the main jacking cylinders M will beretracted and all of the lower pins PL will be retracted and, hence,pilot lights LL will be off. Since all ofthe upper pins PU are engaged,pilot lights LU will be on. The pilot lights L serve as .a guide to theoperator to indicate when the various pins P have been engaged so thathe may properly execute the next;- movement.

Next, the operator opus switches SW-lL and SW-2L which interruptsthecircuits to solenoids SlLl and SZL1, thus urging pins 1L1 and 1L2into engagement. Switch SW-l is then opened, which breaks the circuit tosolenoid S1, causing the jacking cylinders to expand so that when thelower pins L1 register with supporting section apertures, they will movetherein. When the pins PlLl and P2L1 have engaged, limit switches LS1L1and LS2L1 close and the associated pilot lights L1L1 and L2L1 go on,indicating that the lower pins have engaged within apertures in sectionNo. 2. p

After pilot lights L1L1 and L2L1 go on, switch SW4 is closed, whichenergizes solenoid S1 and, hence, causes the main jacking cylinders M toretract. In addition, operation selector switch SW-O is set so that therotor r contacts stator sa. As the main jacking cylinders retract, theload of section No. l is removed from the upper. pins PU1 and they areretracted under the control of switch SW-O by energizing solenoids SU inthe follow-; ing. mariner. Under semi-automatic operation as undermanual operation, solenoid SU1 cannot be energized to retract the upperpins PU1 unless the corresponding lower pins PLl are in engagement andthis condition is indicated by pilot lights L1L1 and L2L1 being on. ALimit switches LS1L1 and LS2L1 are, therefore, closed so that relays R1Land RZL areenergized. In addition, with switch SW,-O connected forsemi-automatic operation with either stator Sa or stator Sb, thecircuits to solenoids SU are also controlled by the operation of limitswitches LS1 and LS2 connected with thejackingcylinders M1 and M2.respectively. As described above, the limit switches LS1 and LS2 areclosed during expansion of the jacking cylinders and opened just priorto the end of the expansion stroke thereof and, conversely, open duringretraction of the jacking cylinders and closed just prior to the end ofthe retraction stroke thereof. Since the jacking cylinders have not beenfully expanded to open limit switches LS1 and LS2, they will remainclosed during the retraction of the jacking cylinders to remove the loadfrom pins PU1 and, hence, relays R1 and R2 will also be energized. Thus,solenoid SU1 is energized to retract pins PU1 through a circuit from themain power line 260 through lead 302, contacts r and Sa15, lead 322,contacts Sa3 and r3, leads 276, 284, and 282, contacts r6 and S116, lead324, contacts S1112 and 'r12, leads =296and 294, contacts r11 and Sa11,lead 326, contacts Sa7 and r7, leads 286 and 288, contacts r8 and 8:18,lead 328, contacts Sa16 and r16, lead 356 and master control switchcontact fU 1.

When the upper pins P1U1 and P2U1 have retracted, limit switches LSlUland LS2U1 open and the corresponding pilot lights L1U1 and L2U1 go out.When the pilot lights go out, switch SW-l is opened to permit thejacking cylinders M to expand which, in turn, l'owers section No. 1.When the jacking cylinders near the end of their expansion stroke, limitswitches LS1 and LS2 open, which de-energizcs relays R1 and R2 andinterrupts the circuit to solenoid SUI, causing the upper pins PU1 tomove into engagement with an aperture within section No. 2. When theupper pins PU1 are engaged, limit switches IJSIUI and LS2U1 close, whichenergizes relays R111 and R2U connected to energize solenoids S1L1 andS2L1 and, hence, pins P1L1 and P2L1 are retracted. Thus, with relay R1Uclosed, solenoid SlLl will be energized to retract pin ilLl through acircuit from the power line 260 through leads 336 and 334, contacts Sa9and r9, leads 290 and 292 (across the normally closed switch ofde-energized relay R1), contacts r10 and Sa10,lead 330, contacts Sa17and r17, lead 358, and main switch contact f1L2. In a like manner,solenoid S2L1 is energized through a circuit from the main power line260 through leads 349 and 338 (across the switch of energized relayR2U), contacts Sa13 and r13, leads 298 and 300 (across the normallyclosed switch of de-energi'zed relay R2), contacts r14, andSa14, lead332, contacts S1118 and 118, lead 360, and master switch contact f2L1.Thus, the lower pins PLl are retracted after the, upper pins PU1 assumethe load of section No. 1 upon continued expansion of the jackingcylinders M and when their pilot lights LlLl and L2L1 go out, theoperator closes switch SW-l, causing the jacking cylinders M to retract.When the jacking cylinders reach the end of their retraction stroke,limit switches LS1 and LS2 are closed which, in turn, energizes relaysR1 and R2, opening the normally closed switches of relays R1 and R2which, in turn, interrupts the circuit to solenoids S1L1 and S2L1,permitting the associated lower pins P 1L1 and P2L1 to engage withinassociated apertures. When limit switches LS'1L1 and LS2L1 close, relaysRlL and R2L are energized, which completes the circuit to solenoid SUI,thus retracting the upper pins after the weight of the section has beentransferred to the lower pins PLl by continued retraction of the jackingcylinders.

When the pilot lights LlUl and L2U1 go out, switch SW-l is opened,causing the jacking cylinders to expand and permitting section No. 1 tolower. This begins another full jacking cycle under the semi-automaticcontrol of switch SW-O with the rotor r connected with stator Sa. Aftersection No. 1 has been extended to a desired length by repeating thefull jacking cycle a corresponding number of times, master selectorswitch SW-M is set to control leg section N0. 2 and the operationselector switch SW-O is set so that the rotor r is connected with statorSm for manual operation. The above procedure is repeated to lower thesection No. 2 and it will be noted that the master selector switch SW-Mis set so that the various elements previously recited as in relation toSection No. 1 are the same in relation to section No. 2.

should be followed. While the jacking cylinders are stalled out'on theirexpansion stroke, switch SW-U is opened. If not already in thisposition, switches SW-1L and SW-ZL are opened, operation selector switchSW-O,

is set so that rotor r is connected with stator Sm for manual operationand switch SW,-1 is closed to retract the cylinders M. This will havethe effect of raising sections Nos. 1 and 2 until the upper pins PUZ areengaged in leg section No. 3. When pilot lights L1U2 and L2U2 go on,switches SW-1L and SW-2L are closed so as, to actuate solenoids S1L2 andS2L2 and, hence, retract the associated pins PL2. When pilot lights L1L2and L2L2 go out, all of the upper pins PL are engaged and all of thelower pins are retracted and supporting leg sections Nos. 1 and 2 areengaged with the marine bottom, although this engagement is not a firmbearing engagement. The platform is now ready to be raised.

To effect the raising of the platform, master selector switch SW-M isset to control supporting leg section No. 3. Switches SW- 1L and SW-ZLare opened, which breaks the circuit to solenoids S1L3 and $21.3,permitting the associated pins P1L3 and P2L3 to extend. Switch SW-l isopened to expand the jacking cylinders M. As the jacking cylindersexpand, the lower pins PL3 will hitapertures in section No. 3 andengage. When the pilot lights L1L3 and L2L3 go on, switch sw-U is closedand switch SW-l is closed. This has the effect of retracting the jackingcylinders M and as soon as the lower pins PL3 have taken the load offthe upper pins PU3, the latter will retract. With the upper pins PU3retracted and the lower pins PL3 engaged, the extended sections areready to be moved downwardly in bearing engagement with the marinebottom. To effect this movement, operatoh selector switch SW-O is set toengage rotor r with stator Se and switch SW-l is opened to expand thejacking cylinders M. During the expansion of the jackingcylinders, thelower end of section No. 1 will come into bearing engagement with themarine bottom and the platform 10 will begin to lift. As the jackingcylinders M reach the end of their expansionstroke, limit switches LS1and LS2 will open, which breaks the circuit to solenoid SU3,

thus causing the upper pins PU3 to move into engagement within aperturesin section No. 3. When limit switches LS1U3 and LS2U3 close as a resultof the engagement of the upper pins PU3, the circuit to solenoids S1L3and S2L3 are energized. However, since the lower pins PL3 now carry theload of theplatform 10 from the embedded supporting leg assembly, theywill not retract as 'a result of the energization of the solenoids S1L3andS2L3. Conseque'ntly, switch SW-'1 is closed to retract the jackingcylinders, so that the platform load on the lower pinsPL3 is,transferred to the upper pins PU3 and the former can retract; Thejacking cylinders continue to retract until they reach the end of theirstroke and limit switches LS1 and LS2 are closed. This has the effectof'energizing relays R1 and R2 so that the normally closed switchesthereof will be opened and the circuit to solenoids S1L3 and S2L3 areinterrupted so that associated pins P1L3 and P2L3 can expand intoengagement. When the limit switches LS1L3 and LS2L3 are closed, relaysRlL and R21. are energized, which completes the circuit .to solenoidSU3. However, since the weight of the platform is still on the upperpins, they will not be retracted until switch SW-l is opened to expandthe jackingcy'linders M so as to transfer the platform load from theupper pins PU3 to the lower pins PL3, permitting the latter to'retract.The opening of the switch SW-I begins another full jacking cycle andthese cycles are continued until the platform reaches the desired heightabove the water;

After operations have been completed audit is desired to move theplatform to another marine site for erection therein, the followingprocedure is followed to 21- lower the platform back onto the water andto retract and raise the telescopic supporting leg assembly into itstransport position. In general, the procedure outlined above is followedin reverse, except that instead of setting the operation selector switchSW-O so that rotor r is connected with stator Sa, the switch SW-O is-setso that rotor r is connected with stator Sb. Thus, with the masterswitch SW-M set to control either section No. 1, 2 or 3 and after thepins associated therewith are properly POSl. tioned to beginsemi-automatic operation with switch SW-O in manual control setting, thelatter is set so that stator Sb is connected with rotor r. The cyclewith this setting of the switch SW-O is the same as outlined above withrespect to the stator $11. The circuit to solenoids SU is controlled byrelays RlL, R2L and R1 and is completed from the main power line 260through lead 302, contacts r and Sb15, lead 344, contacts Sb6 and r6,leads 282, 284 and 276, contacts r3 and S113, lead 342, contacts Sb10and r10, leads 292 and 290 (across the normally closed switch of relayR1), contacts r9 and Sb9, lead 348, contacts Sb16 and r16, lead 356, andcontacts in of switch SW-M. Solenoids SlL are controlled by relays R1and RlU by a circuit completed from main power line 260 through leads336, 334 and 352, contacts Sb7 and #7, leads 286 and 288 (across thenormally opened switch of relay R1), contacts r8 and S128, lead 346,contacts Sb17 and r17, lead 358, and contacts flL of switch SW- M.Solenoids S2L are controlled by relays R2 and R2U by a circuit completedfrom the main power line 260 through leads 340, 338, and 354, contactsSb12 and r12, leads 296 and 294 (across the normally opened switch ofrelay R2), contacts r11 and Sbll, lead 350, contacts Sb18 and r18, lead360 and contacts jZL of switch SW-M.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fullyand effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that theforegoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for thepurpose of illustratingthe principles of this invention and issubject 1. In an apparatus of the type described, the combina'-' tioncomprising: a platform; a telescopic leg for'supporting said platformincluding an outer section and at least one inner section, guide meanson said platform mounting said outer section for substantially verticalmovement in either direction relative to'said platform and a jackingmechanism'carried by said platform for selectively effect-- ing orrestraining relative vertical movement in either direction between saidplatform and said outer section; holding means carried by one of saidsections and releasably engageable with the other of said sections forrestraining relative longitudinal movement therebetween in eitherdirection, saidjacking mechanism being releasably engageable with saidinner section and operable in cooperation with said holding means toselectively effect or restrain relative vertical movement in eitherdirection between said sections.

2; The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said jacking mechanismcomprises an upper holding means releasably engageable with said outersection for restraining relative longitudinal movement between saidouter section and said platform, lower holding means releasablyengageable with either supporting leg section for restraining relativelongitudinal movement between the section engaged and said platform, andpower-actuated means extensible and retractable longitudinally of saidsections and connected between said upper andlower holding means.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said platform includesa deck and said guide means comprises a Well extending through saidplatform and interiorly enlarged to define a compartment within saidplatform below 22; said deck, and wherein said jacking mechanism is'disposed within said compartment.

4. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said holding meanscomprise transversely disposed pins movable into and out of engagementwith a supporting leg section.

a 5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein each of saidsupporting leg sections includes a series of longitudinally spacedapertures for receiving a pin.

6. The combination as defined in claim 2 wherein said and fixed theretofor releasably'engaging said inner section.

7. In an apparatus including'a platform-like member; a supporting leghaving vertically-spaced, transverse surfaces'thereon; and a jackingmechanism mounted on said member which cooperates with said supportingleg so that said member can alternately support and be supported by saidsupporting leg, said jacking mechanism including a pair of verticallyspaced and relatively vertical.

movable pin means for releasably engaging the vertically spacedtransverse surfaces on said supporting leg and power-actuated movingmeans for eifectingrelative vertical movement in either directionbetween said pair of pin means, said jacking mechanism being operableupon actuation of said moving means in one direction with one of saidpair of pin means engaged with said supporting leg to effect a relativevertical movement between said member and said leg in one direction andupon actuation of said moving means in the other direction with theother of said pair of pin means engaged with said supporting leg toeffect a relative vertical movement between said member and said leg inthe other direction; the improvement-comprising control means for saidjacking mechanism comprising electrical circuit means having meanstherein for actuating said moving means .to effect relative verticalmovement between said pair of pin means in either direction, first meansoperable in response to a predeterminedrelative vertical movementbetween said member and said leg in said one direction by the actuationof said moving means with saido'ne pin means engaged for actuatmg theother pin means to engage the supporting leg,

second rneansoperable in response to a predetermined relative movementin said other direction between said pair of pin means as a result ofactuation of said moving means with said other pin means engaged withsaid sup porting leg for actuating said one pin means to engage saidsupporting leg, and switch means for rendering either a supporting leghaving vertically-spaced, transverse sur: i faces thereon; and a jackingmechanism mounted on said member which cooperates with said supportingleg so that said member can alternately support and be supported by saidsupporting leg, said jacking mechanism including a pair of verticallyspaced and relatively vertical movable pin means for releasably engagingthe vertically spacedtransverse surfaces on said supporting leg andpower-actuated moving means for effecting relative vertical movement ineither between said pair of pin means, said jackmg mechanism beingopenable actuation of said moving means in one direction with one ofsaid. Pair of pin means engaged with said supporting leg to effect arelative vertical movement between said member and said leg in otherdirection the improvement comprising control means v

